The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on Sept. 5 and ran until the 15th. This year, TIFF showcased 278 films, including nine world premieres and seven North American debuts.
The festival, with its galas, parties and red carpet events, drew celebrities like Elton John, Tilda Swinton, Katy Perry and Matt Damon to downtown Toronto. Rain or shine, King Street West was packed daily with film lovers and autograph seekers, all hoping for a moment (or selfie!) with their favourite stars. It felt as if TIFF was truly back, with its glamour and buzz.
Here is some of the best fashion spotted at this year’s festival.
Sarah Paulson
Paulson looked like a boss at the Hold Your Breath premiere, in a power suit by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli Haute Couture, paired with a choker by Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert. Styled by Canadian Karla Welch, the navy look featured oversized sleeves and a deep-V neckline that created a striking silhouette.
Zoe Saldaña
Saldaña stunned on the Emilia Pérez red carpet in a sheer black gown by Giorgio Armani, accessorized with Cartier jewelry. The embellished lace dress was striking from the front and featured a cascade of ruffles in the back.
Sandrine Holt
The British-Canadian actor proved that sometimes less is more on the red carpet. Her black Saint Laurent dress, featuring batwing sleeves and a deep-V neckline, was beautifully draped and looked equally elegant from the back.
Kairyn Potts
The pleated black dress Potts wore to the premiere of Rez Ball is by Toronto-based designer Lesley Hampton. “I first saw it at the runway of Indigenous Fashion Arts at the Eaton Centre this past summer. It really caught my eye because it looks sort of raven-like,” Potts told us.
Selena Gomez
For the premiere of Emilia Pérez, Gomez wore a black sequinned Rodarte dress paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Her bold red lip — by Canadian make-up artist Hung Vanngo — and glossy, retro waves completed the glamourous look.
Nathalie Emmanuel
Sometimes, a high-wattage fashion moment is just what’s needed. British actor Emmanuel chose an archival Dolce & Gabbana look for the premiere of Megalopolis. The off-the-shoulder, cream-coloured gown features form-fitting ruching details and a full, ruffled train.
Grace VanderWaal
Statement-making from the front and the back, VanderWaal’s showstopping look for the Megalopolis red carpet consisted of a black vintage velvet skirt paired with a custom corset that reportedly took designer Liam Mackenzie 50 hours to make.
Ella Hunt
Actor and singer Hunt went for an oversized floral moment at the Saturday Night premiere. The peach-coloured, drapey dress is by Danielle Frankel, a New York-based bridal and eveningwear label.
Diane Kruger
On the red carpet for The Shrouds, the actor wore a lace skirt, silk top, suede pumps and, if you look closely, a netted black veil from the Fall/Winter 2024 Dolce & Gabbana collection. The mix of textures and subtle layering in this all-black look makes it anything but boring.
Florence Pugh
For the world premiere of We Live in Time at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Pugh wore a voluminous strapless silk taffeta gown, with a crocodile leather bow and black silk rose, by Australian fashion designer Tamara Ralph. Ralph, who is based in Paris, also designed Jennifer Lopez’s dress for the TIFF premiere of Unstoppable.
Margaret Qualley
Unsurprisingly, Chanel ambassador Margaret Qualley opted for a look by the French fashion house for the premiere of The Substance. The interesting silhouette, along with embellishments on the cape and pretty black bows, made the look stand out.
Brian Tyree Henry
The American actor wore a double-breasted, burnt siena suit with draping for the premiere of The Fire Inside. Bold jewelry, including a beaded necklace, completed the look.
Jennifer Lopez
Lopez said she wasn’t sure about wearing this Tamara Ralph dress to the premiere of Unstoppable, but it’s turned out to be one of the festival’s most memorable looks. Styled by her go-to, Rob Zangardi, the revealing number was one few other stars could pull off.
Cate Blanchett
Blanchett, a red carpet queen, wore this stunning Givenchy dress to the TIFF Tribute Awards. As her stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, pointed out, Blanchett wore the same pleated, asymmetric dress in 2018 to the British Academy Britannia Awards in Los Angeles.
Daisy Edgar-Jones
For the premiere of On Swift Horses, Edgar-Jones shined in a pleated, pale blue Gucci gown by Sabato De Sarno. The cape detail looked beautiful in motion, and the deep V-neckline and sheer segments updated a timeless silhouette.
Sandra Oh
The Canadian American actor looked incredible at the TIFF Tribute Awards in a chic all-black ensemble. The oversized fabric roses are the highlight of this midi fitted corset set from Lebanese designer Gemy Maalouf’s pre-fall collection.
Sydney Sweeney
Looking very demure, very mindful (sorry, we had to!), Sweeney wore a bespoke floral cape and cocktail dress to the Eden premiere. The combo, by London-based Canadian designer Erdem Moralıoğlu, featured hand-dyed 3D silk flowers and embroidery.
Alejandro Speitzer
The Mexican actor opted for an asymmetric grey blazer and pants from the Dior Fall 2024 collection. It’s certainly an elegant way to stand out from the slim-cut, basic suits too many other stars have been wearing on the red carpet.
Jojo Jackson
There were many fantastic looks on the Rez Ball red carpet. Jackson, a Diné actor and creator, wore a sharp all-black ensemble styled by Rob Reza, featuring beadwork by Darcy Mo’é’himahe (Big Horse), a Haus of Stamps necklace and jewelry from Rio Grande Trading.
